Student Model
Helping Students Comprehend Nonfiction Texts
As students get older, the texts we use to teach them get increasingly more difficult. Also, teachers rely more heavily on nonfiction texts to teach higher-level concepts. Further, the skills students use to comprehend nonfiction are different than for fictional texts. Most of us would agree that content area teachers in middle and high schools are much more comfortable focusing on content instruction than on reading and writing processes.
What’s the problem?
For students who struggle with reading, these issues combine to create a common dilemma that teachers observe daily in classrooms around this country. Teachers are faced with middle and high school students who are not equipped to get information from texts. The good news is that teachers have many students who are able to comprehend content area texts in a way that does enhance learning. The “not-so” good news is that classrooms also have a number of students whose struggle with comprehending content material contributes to a reduction in learning.
What’s a teacher to do?
Some content area teachers are skilled in techniques to bridge the gap between reading and learning for students who struggle. For other teachers, this dilemma presents a greater challenge. Of course, the Very Best advice is for teachers facing this challenge is to work collaboratively to share ideas, practice and model effective strategies, and continue to grow professionally via readings, workshops, and self-reflective practices.
Teachers will continue to grow in their knowledge of best practices and ways to reduce the comprehension gap that exists between skilled readers and those who struggle. However, it is critical that we have immediate access to a few tips that can help reduce daily comprehension challenges students face when reading nonfiction material.
The following menu of ideas will help students comprehend nonfiction texts. Although these tips are geared for students who struggle with texts, they would certainly be helpful for all students you teach.
- Look for abstracts (these give a brief summary statement). If no abstract exists, write one for students and/or have them write one. Teacher-generated abstracts usually occur prior to reading, student-generated ones usually occur after reading.
- Point out beginning/ending statements or paragraphs. These parts of the text give good clues to: what you will read, author perspective, and conclusions.
- Turn headings into questions. Ask yourself “What about...?” Then as you read, look for the answer.
- Use post-it notes or highlighters to mark significant information. Point out author tips like bold print words, bulleted items, references to figures, charts, and diagrams. Locating significant information should be demonstrated by the teacher using “think-alouds”. Ability to distinguish between significant details and insignificant details takes practice!
- Locate the organizational pattern(s). The basic patterns of organization include (but are not limited to) compare/contrast, time order, description, sequence, and cause/effect. Identifying signal words and phrases is helpful.
- Pause and paraphrase. Stopping periodically to check your own understanding is critical. Ask yourself – “What did I just read?”. If you can’t answer quickly, then backtrack to reread. (This goes along with #4 above.)
- Write and visualize. Take notes and/or make a visual to organize your thoughts. When you jot down notes, it usually becomes easier to remember information. Also, creating a symbol, design, or graphic organizer can increase understanding.
- Narrow the focus. Help students to “un-clutter” complex concepts by focusing on the key topics to organize a section of text. When reading a challenging section in a chapter on animal cells, remembering that the topic is “characteristics” can help the student navigate through the material while staying focused on a narrow topic.
- Strategy instruction. Strategy instruction can be done in mini-lessons to increase efficiency for the teacher. Model for students how to utilize flexible strategies such as Cornell Notetaking, Venn Diagrams, or KWL. Teachers who use strategies enable students to interact with challenging texts with greater independence.
Teachers don't need to become reading specialists in order to help students read nonfiction texts, but they do need to recognize that students who struggle with reading need their help to understand the dynamics of content-specific texts. Students are helped not by having their reading and interpreting done for them, but rather by being provided with tools to increase their access to the classroom reading materials used.
Content-area teachers constantly examine how they make meaningful connections for their students. The menu of ideas shared provides concrete and realistic ways to bridge the gap and make reading less frustrating and more meaningful for students. These tips can help reduce the daily comprehension challenges students face when reading nonfiction material. As teachers assist students to take responsibility for developing good reading skills in all content areas, our classrooms will be filled with more good news!
Dr. Harriette J. Arrington is the Academic Dean of Paul D. Camp Community College in Virginia, an award-winning author and the founder of Libra Literacy Consulting (LLC). LLC is committed to supporting educators in building the literacy skills – reading, writing, speaking, and listening - of their students – within and across all disciplines.
For booking or more information, please visit: LibraLiteracy.com
About the Author
Dr. Harriette J. Arrington is the Academic Dean of Paul D. Camp Community College in Virginia, an award-winning author and the founder of Libra Literacy Consulting (LLC). LLC is committed to supporting educators in building the literacy skills – reading, writing, speaking, and listening - of their students – within and across all disciplines.
For booking or more information, please visit: LibraLiteracy.com. Dr. Arrington can be reached directly at HJA@LibraLiteracy.com
|
|
Fox Model 41 Student Polypropylene Bassoon VERY NICE! $1,130.03 |
|
|
Fox Model 41 Student Polypropylene Bassoon VERY NICE! $1,130.03 |
|
|
CONN 20 M Alto Saxophone STUDENT MODEL EXCELLENT CONDI. $693.43 |
|
|
1960 's Vox Student Prince Model Guitar Tear Drop Case $512.62 |
|
|
Student model Full Size violin with case $308.19 |
|
|
Selmer Bundy Student Model Alto Eb Saxophone Sax 108884 $305.58 |
|
|
Yamaha YSL-354 Student Model Trombone YSL354 111429 $305.58 |
|
|
Yamaha YCL 250 Clarinet ~Latest Student Model~ Ready! $286.62 |
|
|
2000 Jupiter JTR-606MR Student Model Trumpet 606 109890 $253.19 |
|
|
Buescher Aristocrat Student Model Alto Saxophone 119607 $246.50 |
|
|
Yamaha YCL-20 Student Model Bb Clarinet YCL20 120520 $204.90 |
|
|
Selmer USA Oboe Student Model With Hard Case Excellent $204.43 |
|
|
Selmer CL301 Student Model Bb Clarinet CL 301 110004 $174.59 |
|
|
Student Prince Adcox Airplane Desk Wood Model Big New $148.96 |
|
|
Yamaha YCL-20 Student Model Bb Clarinet YCL20 119399 $146.34 |
|
|
1986 Leblanc Vito Student Model Clarinet EXC+!!! 118175 $146.34 |
|
|
2010 Model Bb NICKEL Student Trumpet & YAMAHA Care Kit $142.74 |
|
|
Stentor Student 1 Series 1/2 Violin Outfit 1400 Model $130.42 |
|
|
Stentor Student 1 Series 4/4 Violin Outfit 1400 Model $130.42 |
|
|
Stentor Student 1 Series 3/4 Violin Outfit 1400 Model $130.42 |
|
|
Suzuki Violin Model 220 1/2 Size Good Student Violin $123.28 |
|
|
GEMEINHARDT STUDENT Flute Model 2NP,Silver Plated $118.14 |
|
|
Adcox Student Prince Airplane Wood Model Free Ship New $117.88 |
|
|
Emereson Student Model Closed-Hole Flute EXC+!!! 115120 $117.06 |
|
|
SCHILLER Model STUDENT 3/4 Violin $102.73 |
|
|
Nida Electronic Student Trainers model 130 130A 130E $102.72 |
|
|
Creative Model Construction in Scientists and Students: $99.55 |
|
|
Creative Model Construction in Scientists and Students: $99.55 |
|
|
Creative Model Construction in Scientists and Students: $99.55 |
|
|
Selmer Bundy Bach Student Model Trumpet 120724 $92.41 |
|
|
Selmer USA CL300 Student Model Clarinet in Case $87.32 |
|
|
Ridenour Model 147 Student Bb Clarinet Excellent Cnd $77.05 |
|
|
Selmer Bundy Student Model Flute without Case $71.90 |
|
|
Used Merano Student Model Nickel Bb Trumpet w/ Case !!! $70.88 |
|
|
Used Merano Student Model Nickel Bb Trumpet w/ Case !!! $70.88 |
|
|
Used Merano Student Model Nickel Bb Trumpet w/ Case !!! $70.88 |
|
|
Canon A-1 Camera with 28mm Lens Student Model #37-DD $51.35 |
|
|
Canon AE-1 Camera with 50mm Lens Student Model#36-DD $51.35 |
|
|
Vintage Fender Rhodes STUDENT MODEL 4" Green Pickup $51.35 |
|
|
Kersting Model 705 Student Piccollo with Hard Case $46.22 |
|
|
8 CROWN BRIDGE MODELS AND 1X6 UPPER TEMP. CROWN STUDENT $41.09 |
|
|
Minolta XG1 Camera Student Model with Lens #40-DD $41.08 |
|
|
Canon A-1 Camera Body Student Model #41-DD $41.08 |
|
|
Canon AE-1 Camera Body student model #21-DD $41.08 |
|
|
Canon AE-1 Program Student Model Camera #38-DD $41.08 |
|
|
Zenith Data Systems Student Model CD Player $41.08 |
|
|
Vintage Bundy Selmer USA Student Model Flute Nice! $41.04 |
|
|
WAHL Essentials Student Kit Model 8330 $36.97 |
|
|
NOS - Vintage Fender Rhodes STUDENT MODEL Rotary Switch $15.40 |
|
|
Embracing First-time Students: The Retention Model That $13.60 |
|
|
Halfsize human skull student anatomical model New $10.79 |
|
|
Paxman student model double French Horn $10.27 |
|
|
Vintage Tensor Student Model 7200 Reading Desk Lamp $10.26 |
|
|
College Algebra: Concepts And Models With Student Cd-ro $6.08 |
|
|
Model Student: A Tale of Co-Eds and Cover Girls, Robin $5.70 |
|
|
TOMYTEC Model People 022 "WINTER STUDENT" - 1/150 N sca $5.43 |
|
|
TOMYTEC Model People 023 "WINTER STUDENT" - 1/150 N sca $5.43 |
|
|
Program models for mainstreaming: Integrating students $5.13 |
|
|
Model Student: A Tale of Co-eds and Cover Girls, Robin $1.03 |
|
|
Model Student: A Tale of Co-eds and Cover Girls, Robin $1.03 |
|
|
Model Student by Robin Hazelwood (2007, Paperback, R... $1.00 |
|
|
Model Student by Robin Hazelwood (2006) $0.51 |
 |
1886 Drawing Student Life Paris Atelier Artist Models Sale Price: $25.75  |
 |
American Students Painting the Nude Model Collections Photographic Poster Print, 12x16 List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $49.99 |
 |
Yamaha Presents Guitar Basics for Acoustic and Electric Models Hal Leonard Sale Price: $14.50 Used From: $14.50 |
![Tutorial Text-Specific Videos for Yoshiwara/Yoshiwara's Modeling, Functions, and Graphs: Algebra for College Students, 3rd Ed. [11 Videos/8 Hrs.]](http://www.pulseinspired.com/images/i/517CBmpVHdL._SL75_.jpg) |
Tutorial Text-Specific Videos for Yoshiwara/Yoshiwara's Modeling, Functions, and Graphs: Algebra for College Students, 3rd Ed. [11 Videos/8 Hrs.] List Price: $281.00 Sale Price: $75.00 |
 |
Konus Campus 1000x Biological Microscope University / College Students 5306, 5326 Models: Konus Biological Microscope with Adapter for U.S.A. Plug Model 5326 Sale Price: $316.99 Average Rating:  |
 |
Florence Laptop BackPack Student Model, Soft Versatile Bag for 18" Notebooks, 12" x 16" x 6", Black Sale Price: $42.95 |
The printed m...
In presenting an overview of theoretical frameworks, Conceptual Models of Nursing: Analysis and Application familiarizes students with a broad range of nursing models and their roles in nursing practice. In this fourth edition, the focus
* Explains the subtleties of fixed income mathematics.
* Discusses multi-factor interest rate models and offers four original case studies.
* Covers the latest fixed income s
This text prepares students for career counseling in the global economy, and supports their learning and understanding, through a unique pedagogical modelthe Career Diamondwhich helps students synthesize and apply career counseling theories. Also,...
Everybody wins when you practice the workshop approach in high school English!
Do you find that preparing for standardized tests interferes with teaching advanced thinking, reading, and writing ski
